Apparatus for illustrating economic laws



April 1942- J. DQMOONEY I 2,281,368

APPARATUS FOR ILLUSTRATING ECONOMIC LAWS Filed A ril 19, 1941 s Sheets-Sheet 1 lllllfl m| l l w"llllllllllllllllllllll] 93 INVENTOR JAMES D. MOONEY ATTORNEY l I I l I I I I I I l I I l l l l I I I I I l I I I l l I I I l I I l I I I l I l .J

April 28, 1942. J. D. MOONEY APPARATUS FOR ILLUSTRATING ECONOMIC LAWS s Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 19, 1941 I I I I l I I I I I I I l I l I I I l l I I I I I I I l I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I l l I l I I I l I I I l L INVENTOR JAMES D. MOONEY ATTORNEY April 2- J.'D. MOONEY APPARATUS FOR ILLUSTRATING ECONOMIC LAWS Filed April 19, 1941 a my R mm m Mm V D. T N T 15%, Mom A Y J.B

Patented Apr. 28, 1942 APPARATUS FOR IhLUSTRATING ECONOMIC James I). Mooney, Oyster Bay, N. Y. Application April '19, 1941, serial No. 389,324)

" 5 Claims. (01. 35-24) This invention relates to improvements in apparatus designed toxillustratel the laws of economics by physical analogies. Apparatus of this type were set forth in my Patent, #1,989,878, and the objectof the present invention is to provide improved means for giving the mind physical pictures to aid it in grasping abstract conceptions.

The closer the representations are to the actual things they represent, the more efiective they are The more labelscan be replaced by models, the less imagination is required to visualize what is being demonstrated. Similarly, too great simplification. is often a bar to ready. comprehension. The picture may be so incomplete that it seems to'have little connection with reality. For example, to give a reasonably complete picture oi the operation-of the law of supply and demand, the sources of supply as well as the channels of distribution should be .representedby three-dimensional graphic means. In terms of hydraulics, the .flow of goods to market resembles in many ways the flow of a river and its tributaries. Goods from thousands of farms, mines, oil Wells, factories, and workshops are gathered together and combined to form the total supply of commodities to a community, just as little rivulets and streams combine .to give us our large-rivers.

According to the present invention, therefore, this gathering movement is illustrated by providing a series of conduits. from which water is discharged. Over or adjacent to each conduit is a representation of one of the principal sources of supply. For example, a miniature oil derrick is placed over one conduit to represent the supply of natural mineral products. The water from these various conduits is arranged to cascade over a shelf into an inclined trough or gutter in order to unite the individual streams into a single one.

When consumption takes place, there is disintegration instead of integration. There is a breaking down of a' single stream of large volume of goods into a large number of smaller streams leading to retail stores and to individual consumers. That is likewise demonstrated physically and hydraulically.

Another very important point to bear in mind in attempting to give the mind physical pictures to aid it in grasping abstract conceptions, is that the fewer distractions the better. Where the vertical movement of a float in a tank due to changes in the volume of liquid in a receptacle carried by the float is utilized to illustrate the effect of supply and demand on price, any mechanical adjuncts, like guides, pulleys, etc, that switch operated thereby; and

are visible catch the eye. The observers mind is apt to wander from'a consideration of the movements of the float and'what they represent to a study of the adjuhcts to see how they'work.

According to the present invention, therefore, all the "supporting and guiding means for the float are concealed from view.' This is accomplishedby' a parallel'linkage support extending through a slot in the front 'wall of the cabinet housing the operating parts of the apparatus. This'slot and the support extending therethrough are directly behind the tank 'and float and are, therefore, concealed thereby. Further, this linkagesup'port is connected to the back of the float so-that its point of attachment "to the float is not visible when looking at'the apparatusirom the'front.

One suitable form of construction is illustrated, by 'wayl'of' example; in the accompanying drawin'gs; wherein: l

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus as a'whole;

'Fig." 2 is a diagrammatic view showing the relationship of the more important operating parts o'f'the apparatus;

Fig. 3 is" a vertical section through the pricevariation indicating apparatus and its associated parts'j' Fig. 4 is an elevation of the valve controlling the discharge of water'fromthe pump and the Fig. 5 is a side view of the same.

The apparatus illustrate'dco'mprises a cabinet 10 having a wall ll -extending upwardly from its rear side. This cabinet performs adual function, first'it acts as a support for parts of the apparatus, such as the Stable money tank l2 and the Demand distributor l3, and, second, it serves as a housing for the water reservoir I4, pump l5, motor I6 and other operating parts.

The wall |l,"in conjunction with a lateral and upward extension IQ of the cabinet, supports a Supply shelf i8. This wall also carries the supporting and movement oontrolling mechanism for-the "Stock float'Zl. Pric scale M is also mounted on'this wall.

The operating parts 'ofthe apparatus are shown diagrammaticall'y'in Fig.2. 'Wateris forced by a part of the pump motor circuit. The disk is notched at the off position of the valve so that the pump can be stopped and the valve shut ofi simultaneously and automatically. Conversely, as soon as the valve is opened the pump starts. As the pump is of the centrifugal type, the amount of water delivered thereby can be controlled by a valve on the discharge line without overloading the motor or injuring the pump. The valve IT is of the plug type so that one-quarter of a turn opens or closes the passage therethrough completely.

From the header 24 are a series of outlets 25, three as shown. Adjacent to the first of these are miniature figures and models representing the delivery of barrels and packing cases containing manufactured goods. Over the second is a representation of an oil derrick as symbolic of natural mineral products. Adjacent the third is a farm wagon to indicate the supply of wheat, cotton and other farm crops.

Water discharged from these outlets flows forwardly over the shelf and down its front where an inclined trough 26 collects the water from all three outlets and discharges it as a single stream through a spout 21. Beneath this spout is a Stock receptacle 30 of glass or other transparent material mounted on top of the float 2| in the tank l2. From the bottom of this receptacle extends a pipe 32 for discharging water into the Demand distributor l3. A valve 33 controls the rate of discharge of water.

The Demand distributor consists of a cylinder 35 from which lead a series of outlet pipes 36. These pipes discharge into a series of downcasts 37 the lower ends of which are above the reservoir l4. Around the downcasts is a representation of a retail store to simulate the distribution of different classes of goods to the consuming public.

When the volume of liquid in the receptacle 30 representing Stock increases due to the rate of flow from the Supply shelf exceeding the rate of flow from the receptacle 30 to the Demand distributor, the float 2| sinks in the Stable money tank l2. When this happens marketwise, the price of the goods drops. Hence, means are provided for indicating the depth of submergence of the tank in terms of price. Such means include a pointer 40 attached to the float and a Price scale 44 graduated so that the price is a maximum when the receptacle 30 is empty and a minimum when it is full.

As the receptacle 30 is on top of the float 2|, the combination is top-heavy. Means are, therefore, required for maintaining the float in upright position without interfering with its vertical rise and fall with changes in the amount of liquid in the receptacle 3!).

According to the present invention, this is accomplished by a parallel linkage support extending through a slot 39 in the wall ll, shown more particularly in Fig. 3. A bar 42 is provided having two cross-rods 43 and 44 passing therethrough and rigidly connected thereto. Above the bar 42 is a link 45 likewise provided with cross-rods 46 and 41 rigidly connected thereto. The ends of rods 43 and 46 are journalled in bearings (not shown) mounted on the rear side of the wall I l. The ends of rods 44 and 41 are similarly journalled in bearings (not shown) mounted on the back wall 48 of the float 2|. As rods 43 and 46 are spaced apart the same distance as 44 and 41, and are located in parallel vertical planes, the float is maintained in upright til position at all times irrespective of the extent to which it is submerged in the liquid in the tank l2. Lateral wobble is eliminated by the fact that the bearings for the ends of the rods 43 to 41, inclusive, are spaced apart a considerable distance.

The back wall of the float is spaced well forward of the rear edges of the top and sides of the float for various reasons. In the first place, it enables the distance between the rods 43 and 46, on the one hand, and the rods 44 and 41, on the other, to be made greater than would otherwise be the case. This flattens out the curved path of movement of the float. In the second place, it reduces the effective cross-section of the float and hence increases the variation in the depth of submergence of the float for any given change in the amount of fluid in the receptacle 2|. In other words, it makes the apparatus more responsive to variations in the ratio between supply and demand. On the other hand, reduction in the effective cross-section of the float reduces its weight-supporting power. To overcome that objection a counterweight 49 is provided to produce a lifting force nearly equal to the weight of the float and receptacle when the latter is empty.

Bringing the forward ends of the bar 42 and link 45 to a point adjacent the center line of the float and receptacle means that there are two limiting factors to the range of vertical movement of the float. One is the engagement of the bar 42 with the rim of the tank l2. See dotted line position of the bar 42 in Fig. 3. The other limiting factor is the engagement of the link 45 with the rear edge of the top of the float. To reduce the last-mentioned limiting effect, the link 45 is bent downwardly, the angle of the elbow being located adjacent the rear edge of the top of the float. Similarly, if desired, the bar 42 could be bent upwardly adjacent the lip of the tank l2,

Inside the forward part of the float is a lamp 5'! to illuminate the water in the transparent receptacle 30 through an aperture 58 in the top of the float. The lamp is supplied with current by a flexible cable 59 passing through the slot 39.

I The operation of the apparatus is as follows:

To simulate the production of goods valve I l is opened, thereby setting the pump in operation to cause three separate streams of water representing manufactures, mineral products, and agricultural produce, respectively, to flow over the Supply shelf. These three streams are then combined to form a single one discharging into the Stock receptacle.

If the valve I! is only partly open while valve 33 is full open, as fast as water runs into the Stock receptacle it flows out again through the pipe 32 into the Demand distributor. When this occurs, the float is not depressed appreciably and hence the pointer 40 is opposite the 100 mark on the Price scale. This is exactly what happens when the market is able to absorb all goods supplied as fast as they can be produced.

The manufacturer or producer, seeing that he has a seller's market, increases his production. The effect of such action is illustrated by opening the valve l1 wider. As a result of the increased flow into the Stock receptacle, water cannot flow out as fast as it comes in until the head of water in the receptacle reaches the point at which it can force the water out through pipe 32 as rapidly as it enters the receptacle. The weight of this water depresses the float and causes th point r 40 to indicate a price of instead of 100. This is exactly what happens when goods are produced faster than they can be sold. An exactly analogous result occurs when production remain constant but consumption falls oil". This can be simulated by partially closing the valve 33.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for illustrating economic laws, comprising a vertical Wall, a tank containing liquid mounted in front of said wall, a float in said tank, a liquid receptacle mounted on the top of said float, means for admitting liquid to and means for dischargin liquid from said receptacle at relatively variable rates to represent the relative strength of two economic factors, a guiding member extending through an p n in said wall behind said float and connected to the latter to hold said float in vertical position while permitting it to rise and fall as the volume of liquid in the receptacle decreases and increases, respectively, to represent the resultant of said factors, and a counterweight connected to said member behind said wall to reduce the said float, means for admitting liquid to and means for discharging liquid from said receptacle at relatively variable rates to represent the relative strength of two economic factors, a lever extending through an opening in said wall behind said float and pivotally mounted intermediate its ends on said wall for movement in a vertical plane perpendicular thereto, a pivotal connection between the front end of the lever and the float adjacent its back, a counterweight on the rear end of said lever to reduce the depth of submergence of the float due to the dead weight of the float and receptacle, and a link pivotally connected to said float and front wall at points vertically and equally spaced from the points of pivotal connection of said lever to the same parts to hold said float in vertical position while permitting it to rise and fall as the volume of liquid in the receptacle decreases and increases, respectively, to represent the resultant of said factors.

3. Apparatus for illustrating economic laws, comprising a vertical wall, a tank containing liquid mounted in front of said .wall, a float in said tank comprising an approximately square box having top, sides, front, bottom, and a back spaced forwardly of the rear edges of the sides and top to provide a flotation chamber of smaller area than the top of the float, a liquid receptacle mounted on the top of said float, means for admitting liquid to and means for discharging liquid from said receptacle at relatively variable rates to represent the relative strength of two economic factors, a lever extending through an opening in said wall behind said tank and pivotally mounted intermediate its ends on said wall for movement in a vertical plane perpendicular thereto, a pivotal connection between the front end of the lever and the float adjacent its back, a counterweight on the rear end of said lever to reduce the depth of submergence of the float due to the dead weight of the float and receptacle, and a link pivotally connected to said float and front Wall at points vertically and equally spaced from the points of pivotal connection of said lever to the same parts to hold said float in vertical position while permitting it to rise and fall as the volume of liquid in the receptacle decreases and increases, respectively, to represent the resultant of said factors.

4. Apparatus for illustrating economic laws, comprising a vertical wall, a tank containing liquid mounted in front of said wall, a float in said tank comprising an approximately square box having top, sides, front, bottom, and a back spaced forwardly of the rear edges of the sides and top to provide a flotation chamber of smaller area than the top of the float, a liquid receptacle mounted on the top of said float, means for admitting liquid to and means for discharging liquid from said receptacle at relatively variable rates to represent the relative strength of two economic factors, a lever extending through an opening in said wall behind said float and pivotally mounted intermediate its ends on said wall for movement in a vertical plan perpendicular thereto, a pivotal connection between the front end of the lever and the float adjacent its back, a counterweight on the rear end of said lever to reduce the depth of submergence of the float due to the dead weight of the float and receptacle, and a link pivotally connected to said float and said wall at points vertically and equally spaced from the points of pivotal connection of said lever to the same parts to hold said float in vertical position while permitting it to rise and fall as the volume of liquid in the receptacle decreases and increases, respectively, to represent the resultant of said factors, said link being elbow-shaped with the point of bend below the rear margin of the top of the float to increase the distance the float can move downwards.

5. Apparatus for illustrating economic laws, comprising a reservoir for liquid, a pump having its intake connected to the reservoir, a shelf above the reservoir, a plurality of conduits connected to the outlet side of said pump arranged to discharge liquid simultaneously onto said shelf, a

trough along the edge of said shelf to collect the liquid flowing off the same and combine it into a single stream to simulate the combinin of several sources of supply into the total supply for the community, a tank containing liquid, a receptacle floating therein having inlet and discharge orifices, the inlet orifice being below the discharge end of said trough, means for indicating the depth of submergence of said receptacle to represent commodity price, a liquid distributor having a single inlet below the discharge orifice of said receptacle and a plurality of outlets to simulate the distribution of goods into" a number of different retail or consumer channels, and conduits for carrying the liquid from said outlets to said reservoir.

JAMES D. MOONEY, 

